by Cheri Tabel “Why is it called ‘Good Friday’?” my son asked on our walk the other night. My mouth opened, pausing, as I heard something in my head that was going to sound like a Christian commercial. My mind raced for the factual, Encylopedia-type answer. Finally, I landed on: “I don’t know.” It was … Continue reading
by Jennifer DiFrancesco Lent. It stresses me out every year. Like everything else, I know it shouldn’t but it does. It isn’t like we will be graded on it or will be asked to do a public presentation about it. Just when I have a good idea, I overthink it, rethink it, and ask others … Continue reading
by Jennifer Mills-Knutsen Scripture: Psalm 8 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your … Continue reading
–by Chris Lenshyn We were in a tight spot! Our rental town house was being sold. We had to be out within 2 months. We were in process of selling my mother’s house 2 provinces away so that we could buy a house together and live communally in British Columbia. The attempted sale of mom’s house dragged … Continue reading
by Dena Hobbs Scripture: Psalm 27 (NRSV) “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to devour our flesh – my adversaries and foes – they shall stumble and fall. Though an army … Continue reading
—Corey Fields It’s Ash Wednesday again. Ash Wednesday is among the worship services of the church year that I find the most powerful. The service is designed around an acknowledgement of human brokenness and mortality. Ash Wednesday embraces the idea that, although words of hope have their place during much of the rest of the … Continue reading
by Jennifer DiFrancesco Scripture: Luke 4:1-13 Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. There he was tempted for forty days by the devil. He ate nothing during those days and afterward Jesus was starving. The devil said to him, “Since you are … Continue reading
–by Joanna Harader For me, Advent has always been the family-oriented liturgical season. I lead my children in lighting the candles, reading the scriptures, placing the daily nativity scene pieces. (Not that we get around to putting out a piece every day, but we have a piece for every day . . . ) Lent … Continue reading
Hi, Practicing Families! Lent begins in a week and a half (really! Ash Wednesday is February 10!) and the editors of Practicing Families want to issue an invitation to all our writers and readers and friends to journey through this season together. We’ve set up a Facebook group – separate from our page, because a … Continue reading
True, we’re already a little ways into Lent. Maybe you’re feeling it deeply already; maybe not. In place of our usual Family Liturgy today, here are a couple of links to ideas that can involve the whole family in a meaningful – but totally do-able – observance of this season. Traci Smith has created this … Continue reading
